Coiling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus particularly suited for coiling heavy metal plate and comprising a bending roll assembly including three cooperating bending rolls positioned along the path of movement of the plate. The bending rolls are arranged to coil the plate in a downward direction as it passes therethrough. A coil receiving and supporting cage assembly is positioned beneath the bending rolls. The cage assembly includes a plurality of roll members extending parallel to the axis of the formed coil and mounted for outward movement as the diameter of the coil increases during the coiling operation. The lowest of the roll members are mounted so they can be moved to permit the complete coil to be lowered to a subjacent coil-conveying or carriage assembly.

COllLING APPARATUS The present invention is directed toward the art of rolling mill equipment and, more particularly, to an apparatus for coiling metal plate and strip.

The invention is particularly suited for hot-coiling heavy steel plate and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it will be appreciated the invention is capable of broader application and could be used for coiling a variety of types of materials.

ln the past, attempts made at coiling quality steel plate in the temperature range of from 900 F. to l,100 F. were not particularly satisfactory. One approach attempted was to use a conventional expandible rotating mandrel about which the plate was wrapped. This approach was not successful because of the difficulty of providing sufficient strength in the mandrel, blocker rolls, and guides to withstand the forces required to bend the plate.

A second approach used in the past was the combination of a rotating mandrel and blocker rolls. The plate was bent completely around the mandrel by the blocker rolls and associated guides. Difficulties were experienced in assuring that the plate snubbed tightly against the mandrel. Further, since the blocker rolls were, of necessity, tight against the plate, each time the head end of the coil passed a blocker roll, the roll hammered into the coil causing marking of the plate between adjacent laps. Thus, the plate surface was of somewhat low quality.

ln addition to the above-mentioned problems, the prior devices required closely regulated tensions and continuously varying roll and mandrel speeds. As a consequence, the control systems were somewhat complex and the speed at which the systems could operate was limited.

The noted disadvantages were further compounded by the necessity or providing special equipment to remove the coils from the mandrel and transfer them to associated conveying or handling equipment.

The present invention provides an apparatus that overcomes the above problems and which can coil plate without the need for complex controls. Apparatus formed in accordance with the invention allows coiling of plate to be accomplished without impairment of the surface quality or finish. Also, coil-handling problems are substantially eliminated and the apparatus arranged so that the finished coil can be deposited directly on to a conveyor.

ln accordance with the invention, there is provided ap paratus for coiling a horizontally moving strip of plate material comprising first pinch roll means for receiving the strip and directing it along a path downwardly at a slight angle from the horizontal. Bending roll means are positioned along the path and include at least two spaced roll members positioned above the path to extend transversely of the strip, and at least one roll member positioned below the path to extend transversely of the strip generally at a location between the first two roll members to cause the strip to be coiled as it passes through the roll members. Positioned beneath the bending roll means is a coil-receiving cage assembly comprising at least two horizontally extending blocker roll members each mounted for rotation on separate spaced axes extending parallel to the axes of the bending roll means. Additionally, separate movable support means are provided for each of the blocker roll members for moving the blocker roll member between upper and lower points with the upper points corresponding to a support location for the coils at the start of a coiling operation and the lower points corresponding to a discharge position where the finished coils can be discharged vertically downwardly.

ln accordance with a more limited aspect of the invention, coil-receiving conveyor means are positioned beneath the lower point of movement of the blocker roll members and located so that the finished coil can be directly transferred thereto by the blocker rolls.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a plate-coiling apparatus which does not require that the plate be coiled about a mandrel.

Another object is the provision of a coiling apparatus which does not require complicated speed controls and can operate substantially at the as rolled" speed.

A further object is the provision of an apparatus of the type described wherein coiling takes place in a downward direction and handling system for the coil is similar to existing systems.

yYet another object is the provision of apparatus which can coil relatively heavy plate at low temperatures without marking or otherwise damaging the outer surface.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawing wherein the single FIGURE shows a somewhat diagrammatic cross section through a winding apparatus fonned in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the FIGURE, the apparatus disclosed comprises a vertical support frame including a main base l0 and a pair of generally parallel, upwardly extending side frames l2. In the drawing only a single one of the side frames is shown but is to be understood that a second substantially identical frame is spaced a distance therefrom and extends vertically upward. The frame 112 can be of various constructions but, in the embodiment under consideration is a weldment formed of relatively heavy steel plate members.

Positioned at the upper ends of the frames l2 and extending transversely therebetween is a pinch roll assembly 14. The pinch roll assembly 14 functions to receive the strip 16 coming from ari associated mill line arid directed to the bending roll cluster 18. In the embodiment under consideration, the pinch roll assembly 14 comprises a first roll 20 which extends between the side frames 12 and is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings carried therein. A second somewhat larger diameter roll 22 is positioned above the roll 20 for cooperation therewith. Roll 22 is vertically adjustable relative to roll 20 arid has its opposite ends or necks carried in bearing chocks 24. The chocks 24 are mounted for sliding adjustment in a guideway defined by gibs or guide members 26 carried in the side frames 12.

Movement of the chocks 24 to vary the positioning and/or force exerted by the roll 22 could be accomplished by many different structures. In the embodiment under consideration, separate double-acting hydraulic cylinders 30 are carried by suitable support plates 28 connected at the upper ends of each of the side frames l2. The piston rod 3l of each hydraulic cylinder 30 extends downwardly through its respective support plate 28 and is connected to the associated chocks 24. By controlling the hydraulic pressure supplied to the cylinders the force exerted by roll 22 is, ofcourse, adjusted.

Both pinch rolls 20,22 are driven so as to direct the strip or plate 16 along a path to the bending roll cluster 18. As shown, the path along which the strip is directed is defined by guide plates 32,34 and 36. These guide plates extend transversely between the side frames 12 and are suitably connected thereto such as by bolting or welding. ln the embodiment under consideration, the bending roll cluster 18 includes a first pair of driven rolls 40,42 which extend transversely between the side frames 12. The driven rolls 40 and 42 are positioned on the upper side of the path defined by the guide members. Each of the rolls 40 and 42 is suitably mounted for rotation about their longitudinal axes. The roll cluster 18 further includes an adjustably mounted driven roll 44 which is positioned beneath the path of movement of the strip 16 and generally between rolls 40 and 42. This arrangement is generally well known and, depending upon the adjustment and positioning of roll 44! passage ofthe plates 16 through the roll cluster causes it to be bent generally as shown. As the strip continues to pass through the bending roll cluster the succeeding portions are wrapped on the first portion shown solid and a coil is built up with an internal opening substantially as identified by the dotted line A.

As the coil is wound, it is enclosed within an expansible cage assembly 50 which includes a plurality of roll members adapted to engage the outer circumference of the coil and maintain a predetermined bias thereon to support and hold the coil as it is wound. The cage assembly 50 is arranged so [lite States tent moitier et al.

[45] Feb. 29, 1972 METHOD FR ROLLING TUBUHJA MATERIAL STCK EN A STRETCH REDUCHNG MHJL inventors: Gerd Pfeiffer; [Hlm-st Billen', both of Mulheim-Ruhr; Claus Schrey, Oberhausen; Altred Schmitz, Mulheim-Ruhr, all' of Germany Assignee: Mannesmannrohren-Werke GmbH-l, Dusseldorf, Germany Filed: July l, 1969 Appl. No.: 833,384

Foreign Application Priority Data July 5, 1968 Germany P 17 52 713.8

U.S. C] ..72/205, 72/208, 72/367,

72/234 Int. Cl B21b 17/00 [Field ot Search ..72/205, 234, 249, 208

Primary Examiner-Milton S. Mehr Attorney-Burgess, Dinklage & Sprung [57] ABSTRACT A method for rolling down tubular material in a rolling mill wherein in the vicinity of the starting sections and/or end sections of the tubular material normally having thickened por tions a stepwise variation of the rotational speeds is provided at the roll stands deforming these sections, said stepwise variation of said rotational speeds required for rolling the central section of the tubular material.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 

1. Apparatus for coiling a horizontally moving strip of plate material comprising first pinch roll means for receiving the strip and directing it along a path downwardly at a slight angle from the horizontal; bending roll means positioned along the path and including at least two spaced roll members positioned above the path to extend transversely of the strip, and at least one roll member positioned below the path to extend transversely of the strip generally at a location between the first two roll members to cause the strip to be coiled as it passes through the roll members; a coil-receiving cage assembly positioned beneath the bending roll means and comprising at least two horizontally extending blocker roll members each mounted for rotation on separate spaced axes extending parallel to the axes of the bending roll means, separate movable support means on said apparatus for each of said blocker roll members for moving the blocker roll members between upper and lower points with the upper points corresponding to a support location for coils at the start of a coiling operation and the lower points corresponding to a discharge position where said blocker roll members are moved downwardly and away from one another out of engagement with the coil so that finished coils can be discharged vertically downwardly.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprise pivotal arms.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including coil-handling means positioned subjacent said blocker rolls.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including power means for moving said blocker rolls between said upper and lower points.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said coil-receiving cage assembly comprises a plurality of rolls. 